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Original poster

Living on benefits

167 replies

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 15:36

Are there any single mums on here who live successfully on benefits alone? My pregnant daughter who has already got a 2 year old has suddenly found herself alone and much as we would, of course, take her in, it wouldn't be ideal. Would she be entitled to enough to support herself in a house/flat of her own?

OP posts:
Danielle9891 · 18/09/2023 19:48

Sorry I didn't read the bit about her being pregnant. So can't work.

There's a Facebook group called 'universal credit survival' and it's really helpful.

She could see if the council will pay 'discretionary housing payment' to make up the short fall of her rent.

Has she applied for a healthy start card yet?

Original poster
Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 19:49

FloatyBoaty · 18/09/2023 19:39

@Worriednanof1

sorry OP- not suggesting you pay her full rent, but if she’s (say) £100 short between private rent and what’s possible on UC, you will probably find that if you/family can help with that, it will cost you less than having her live with you will. (Inevitably if she lives with you you’ll end up covering food/extra power etc… )

Or if you can help her out with food etc. … all of these small “safety nets” might be enough to keep her on her own two feet… but I mean in the short term- the equivalent of maternity leave

ofc this might just not be possible for you- and you shouldn’t feel bad if it isn’t - but just purely from a pragmatic perspective, if it’s “find £100 a month/ do some batch cooking/ be on standby with small sums to help her” or “move them all in with you and cover the costs”….

hopefully you see what I mean?! It shouldn’t be your problem to fix, but I know as a parent I’d be hard pressed to stand by and watch, and I can tell from your tone that you are too. You sound like a nice mum. Your daughters lucky to have you.

Thank you so much for your kind words, means a lot right now. I can absolutely help her out to that extent!

OP posts:
Original poster
Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 19:50

Annaishere · 18/09/2023 19:27

I’ve been on the basic rate of UC which included a tent and child allowance and it was liveable but a struggle

I thought Christ, a tent? That's bad!! 🤣

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Annaishere · 18/09/2023 19:51

I know lol

Original poster
Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 20:03

Tumbler2121 · 18/09/2023 19:01

The most important thing is to get her somewhere nice to rent ... is the place she's in suitable when she has two babies? Most or all of the rent and probably all of the council tax will be paid.
Contribution from the father isn't counted ...

So long as she can manage without treats and new things, she'll get by. If the dad plays fair, she may be better off than she has been while in a relationship.

Yes the house she's in is lovely, just too far away. But it has more bedrooms than she needs so not sure how that would work if rent is paid for her.

OP posts:
Original poster
Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 20:05

Gingerkittykat · 18/09/2023 19:36

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

Use this link to work out how much money she will be givem to help towards her rent since that will be the biggest factor in how she copes.

On top of that she will be given 1 adult personal allowance of £368.74 and 2 child allowances of £269.58 as well as child benefit.

I don't see why you need to take her in as she is an adult and will just have to manage.

Thank you for your help but are you really saying you wouldn't worry about or help your kids if they needed you?

OP posts:
BackT · 18/09/2023 20:06

If she can hold on to her private rental that will make life a lot easier.

She might have to top up the houseing element from the rest of her UC but she'll get the rate for a 2 bed as she has a child already.

She'll also get child benefit for 2, free prescriptions and a healthy start voucher thing for milk etc.

Then when the new baby is a little older, UC will pay 80% of childcare while she works. Even a minimum wage part time job will make her better off.

It depends on the area but UC is quite generous here if you are working even a bit.

SleepingStandingUp · 18/09/2023 20:08

UpUpUpU · 18/09/2023 17:20

It worked for me for the time I was on it. It paid 85% childcare so I was able to get a part time job and earn at the extra I needed to pay all my bills.

Who employs someone heavily pregnant? No one decent, let's face it. And putting DD into childcare at 6 weeks might be what was done years ago or when times are tough, but it hasn't been actually beneficial to anyone I know who's had to do it.

SleepingStandingUp · 18/09/2023 20:13

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 20:03

Yes the house she's in is lovely, just too far away. But it has more bedrooms than she needs so not sure how that would work if rent is paid for her.

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She needs to start looking for something smaller. Rent will cover standard payment for a 2 bed. She'll Def have to top up if she's roomS to spare it'll Def be over that

SleepingStandingUp · 18/09/2023 20:15

Gingerkittykat · 18/09/2023 19:36

https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

Use this link to work out how much money she will be givem to help towards her rent since that will be the biggest factor in how she copes.

On top of that she will be given 1 adult personal allowance of £368.74 and 2 child allowances of £269.58 as well as child benefit.

I don't see why you need to take her in as she is an adult and will just have to manage.

So you'd honestly not house your child, her daughter and newborn in the event her partner walked out and she lost the house? Or was having to put her life on credit cards? You'd just say "sorry, did 18 years, I'm not really interested anymore thanks"

mycoffeecup · 18/09/2023 20:16

MrsMarzetti · 18/09/2023 17:33

mycoffeecup Not everyone has a career, some Mums stay at home and raise their children and some have a job, you know those minions that scan your shopping, serve your coffee or sweep the pavement you walk on.

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Yes but staying at home if you don't have a working partner is a route to poverty and not advised.

Yellowisthenewpink · 18/09/2023 20:20

FloatyBoaty · 18/09/2023 19:21

As a working single parent, you get 30 hours free childcare from 2, not 15 hours (term time only).

I would say that if possible, you would all be better served to support your daughter to stay in her private rental (financially if needs be) whilst she waits for social housing, rather than move her in with you.

Once the new baby is 1, and she can more easily go back to work, she’ll find that between free hours, the single persons/ children and childcare elements, child benefit of universal credit and the UC taper down for wages, it should be very manageable.

The difficulty is that UC for childcare is paid in arrears and universal credit assessment window doesn’t always match billing periods, so you may find she needs a little bit of short term help (financially) for the first month or two on return to work whilst things settle into routine.

All of the above from experience. I’m a single mum, unexpected separation when DS was 6 months, went back to work when he was 1 year. it’s hard, but DS is 7 now and we’re doing okay!

Where are you getting the 30 hours free childcare for a 2 year old as a single parent idea from? Nothing I can see about this on gov.uk. Would be a huge help for me so please do share a link. Thank you x

Shinyandnew1 · 18/09/2023 20:21

SleepingStandingUp · 18/09/2023 20:08

Who employs someone heavily pregnant? No one decent, let's face it. And putting DD into childcare at 6 weeks might be what was done years ago or when times are tough, but it hasn't been actually beneficial to anyone I know who's had to do it.

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I would say being left alone and pregnant with a baby and no income is pretty much the epitome of times being ‘tough’, tbh.

ilovebrie8 · 18/09/2023 20:33

I think you’ll have to take her in, accommodation is in such short supply. Private landlords often won’t take UC. You can’t pick and choose where you want to stay and if she has extra rooms that won’t be covered . She may get a hostel. Work is the way to go benefits isn’t a lifestyle choice as everything so precarious at moment …

Gingerkittykat · 18/09/2023 20:39

SleepingStandingUp · 18/09/2023 20:15

So you'd honestly not house your child, her daughter and newborn in the event her partner walked out and she lost the house? Or was having to put her life on credit cards? You'd just say "sorry, did 18 years, I'm not really interested anymore thanks"

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Having 2 small children and another adult in the house would drive me crazy so I couldn't have them live with me but would do everything I could to help set them up somewhere suitable in my area and provide ongoing support.

I fully expect my DD to live at home for a long time. She is autistic/ ADHD and there is no way she would cope on her own right now. She's going into 4th year of uni and planning on doing a masters/ PHD afterwards so will likely be at home a good few years so I'm not the type who throws my kids out at 18 and expects them to cope.

4catsaremylife · 18/09/2023 20:43

Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 15:36

Are there any single mums on here who live successfully on benefits alone? My pregnant daughter who has already got a 2 year old has suddenly found herself alone and much as we would, of course, take her in, it wouldn't be ideal. Would she be entitled to enough to support herself in a house/flat of her own?

Would she be able to move in with you and if you were overcrowded apply for LA housing near you? I appreciate it is less than optimal with the low LA housing stock but checking the criteria online may be useful before actually making the decision

ginandtonicwithlimes · 18/09/2023 20:48

StarDolphins · 18/09/2023 19:04

When the baby is 2 she will need to get a job then she may be able to claim UC.

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She can claim straightway.

StarDolphins · 18/09/2023 20:52

ginandtonicwithlimes · 18/09/2023 20:48

She can claim straightway.

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Oh right! Apologies, I thought this was for people that worked! My friend complains she doesn’t want to work but has to to get UC so I thought you had to work 16 hours or similar.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 18/09/2023 20:53

It goes on earnings rather than hours worked.

Pleaseme · 18/09/2023 20:55

I am a single parent claiming UC and I would strongly advise her to work. Even if it's just a day a week to start. You can earn £379 a month before it affects your entitlement and they will pay 85% of childcare costs. It's much easier to find better work if you are employed . That extra money is the equivalent to the monthly food shop.

ZeldaWillTellYourFortune · 18/09/2023 20:59

You said it, @Shinyandnew1 !

Does she have any skills or intention to train for a career? What was her plan before boyfriend took off?

Original poster
Worriednanof1 · 18/09/2023 21:00

4catsaremylife · 18/09/2023 20:43

Would she be able to move in with you and if you were overcrowded apply for LA housing near you? I appreciate it is less than optimal with the low LA housing stock but checking the criteria online may be useful before actually making the decision

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Having a quick google suggests that la housing is a benefit that pays rent on privately rented places and is nearly £900 in my local area. Sounds too good to be true, no?

OP posts:
FuckingHellAdele · 18/09/2023 21:02

The problem might be securing a private rental in your local area, demand is high in most places now

DumpedByText · 18/09/2023 21:03

I became a single parent to an 18 month old, I claimed UC, worked 30 hours a week, got 80% of my childcare paid and whilst it was tight, I just about managed.

My parents looked after my daughter two days and the other 3 she went to nursery. I had to top up my rent by £160 as UC never completely covers it.

If she wants a fair standard of living she'll have to work I'm afraid.

saymynamesaymy · 18/09/2023 21:09

I would imagine she would be bumped up the HA list considering she has a dependent and another on the way. You need to make it clear to the housing association you have no room for her and the kids at yours and they cannot stay at with you as this will go for her and help her become priority. From what I remember you could only turn down 3 properties before you were turned down

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